Shannon Wolfe

Bellydance, Bhangra, Flamenco Fusion

I accidentally discovered American Tribal Style Bellydance in 1999 and was hooked immediately on the power and camaraderie of this improvisational troupe style of Bellydance.

My first teachers were Megha, director of Devyani Dance Company and local troupe n.o.madic Tribal. Since then I have attended many workshops/retreats/classes with the following leaders in the Tribal Bellydance Arena:
Rachel Brice, Mardi Love, Zoe Jakes & Sharon Kihara of The Indigo. Carolena Nericcio of Fat Chance Bellydance, Moria Chappel & Kami Liddle of The Bellydance Super Stars. Amy Sigil of Unmata, Heather Stants of Urban Tribal, Samantha Riggs of the Sexy Scallywaggs & Boom Boom Bollywood, Sabine (Queen of the Double Sword!), TribalTique, Darshan (Cammi Vance), Gypsy Caravan, Zafira, inFusion Tribal, Awalim, Khafif, Urban Gypsy, Vicki Virk of Dhol Rhythms and John Compton of Hahbi Ru.

Although I have studied many different dancing styles – including jazz, tap, modern, flamenco, ballroom and swing – my main focus is Bellydance. I have taught ballroom, swing and Nia and I look forward to sharing the fun and power of Bellydance with you.

Christina Christ

Bellydance, Yoga for Bellydance

Christina took her first bellydance class in 2005 and has been dancing nonstop ever since. She has been instructed by several members of the south Louisiana bellydance community. In New Orleans, she began her study of bellydance with Selena de la Luna at a workshop she co-taught with Dolphina of California, and attended classes taught by Sabrina and Gretchen of the Sisters of Salome. After Hurricane Katrina, Christina worked extensively with. Shamsi of BayouShimmy in Baton Rouge.

In April of 2007, she returned to New Orleans and now studies primarily under Kryss and Amae of the Sisters of Salome and Shannon Wolfe of Saffron Studio. She has attended workshops taught by a number of internationally known bellydancers including Morocco, Megha of Deviyani, as well as Sharon Kihara, Kami Liddle, and Moria Chappell of the Bellydance Superstars. Christina credits her instructors for her rapid transition from beginner to performer despite having almost no previous formal dance training. Her personal style is a mixture of cabaret and tribal style bellydance, which she performs as a solo artist in New Orleans and Baton Rouge, and with the members of the Indudala tribe. She is an instructor in Baton Rouge and New Orleans.

Jayna Morgan

Swing, Lindy Hop, Charleston, Balboa

Jayna began dancing in the fall of 1998. She began dancing while attending the George Washington University in Washington, DC, and her passion for dancing motivated her to become the head of GWU's Jitterbugs Swing Society, which taught Lindy Hop lessons by some of the world's most renowned instructors, produced the first ever Inter-Collegiate Swing Dance Competition, and hosted dances with up to 400 attendees. Jayna has also competed at the Virginia State Open and the American Lindy Hop Championship. After studying with some of the world's top Lindy and Swing dance instructors, Jayna moved to New Orleans and continued her love of dancing by going to the local jazz venues.

After moving to New Orleans and finding it difficult to dance swing to the hot New Orleans Dixieland jazz, she began to study 1920's Charleston. Jayna and friend, Ellen Boyer, co-founded the only local flappers group, The Frenchmen Street Flappers. You can find Jayna shopping around Magazine Street for vintage duds and giving lessons on how to style 1940's hair.

Kate Jensen

Bellydance

Kate has always had a love for dance and music. She decided to try out tribal bellydance at a friend's suggestion. Now a co-director of Indudala Tribe, Kate has had many teachers and instructors including: N.O.madic Tribal, Megha Gavin, Rachel Brice, Caroleena Nericchio, Kami Liddle, Moria Chapelle, and Darshan.

Kate has found that dance is a top priority of hers and wants to share the fun and interest of tribal improv bellydance with others. Although her dance is founded mainly in the ATS-format, she enjoys experimenting with other styles and incorporating them into her dance repertoire. The flexibility of this fusion dance, the ability to dance to most any style of music, creating complementary costumes, and being part of such a great community of dancers and supporters are some of her favorite things.

Jeanne McKay

Jazz

In 1982 Jeanne took her first dance lesson and has not stopped dancing since. A classically trained dancer, Jeanne has studied tap, ballet, jazz, and modern and in 2006 added bellydance to her repertoire. She has trained and performed with Moore School of Dance and Loyola Ballet. Jeanne currently performs with local bellydance troupe Indudala Tribe.

Bianca San Martin

Salsa

I was born Honduran and Puerto Rican.  There has always been a Latino influence in my life but I never really appreciated or embraced my culture. Four years ago my mother introduced me to salsa dance classes in hopes of connecting me to my Latino heritage. I reluctantly tied up my dance shoes and took my first salsa lesson. I developed such a love and passion for salsa and my culture that four years later I am a dancer, instructor and performer.

My first teachers were Troy Anthony & Georgette Alcocer. They are world known salsa dancers.  They are from New Orleans but have moved to Houston due to Katrina. After private lessons, Chino Fukuda became my new dance partner. We have been teaching and performing at local events such as the Jazz Fest and traveling out of state for other performances.

My goal is to inspire and influence others by sharing the beauty of salsa with others as it was shared with me.

Sami

Bellydance

Sami has been dancing professionally since the age of 14. She attended a performing arts high school & has continued on her own and with various troupes throughout the years including hip-hop, bellydance, & samba groups. Also a talented fire artist, she has performed countless shows ranging from New Orleans burlesque, concerts & nightclubs to tv commercials & even the big screen. She is also very studied in folkloric dances from around the world focusing on Polynesian, Indian, & Afro-Carribean. Sami is currently a member of Casa Samba Brazilian drum & dance ensemble and Indudala Tribe.

Bridget Bordelon

Bellydance

As a young adult, I discovered the joy of movement through dance, yoga, and core training. In 2000, I started tribal bellydancing classes with Megha, director of Devyani Dance Company then with n.o.madic Tribal in New Orleans and most recently with Shannon of Indudala Tribe. Flexibility and strength are a part of my every day routine--I am an avid swimmer. I bring an awareness of the body and focus on muscle isolation to bellydancing. I am also crazy about getting dressed up for performances: the jewelry, makeup, costuming, music, and bonding with fellow dancers is incredible!

Monique Theriot Alley

Jazz

Over 25 years dance education and performance experience beginning at age 2 with Anthony Alessandra School of Dance. From there, Monique continued under Janet Herbez, Sue Russell, Sissy Santangelo and found her way to Darni Fenerty at The Dance Factory, where she still currently teaches little folks, ages 2-8. She was a member of the dance teams of John Curtis Christian School and De La Salle High School and has participated in choreography and performance with Riverdale High School Theatre Arts.

After an extended hiatus to raise her 3 sons, she proudly received her certification from The Dance Factory in jazz, tap, ballet and lyrical and has been a faculty member there ever since.  Monique also freelanced as a “mobile dance teacher” at numerous local daycare facilities, working with preschool children. She has taken many Jazzercise and exercise classes as well as weekend seminar offerings in jazz, tap, modern and lyrical such as is hosted by La. Chapter of DanceMasters of America. She has, of late, been more involved with the behind-the-scenes aspects of dance production aspects, teaching and working backstage at the annual production of the Dance Factory. She looks forward to continuing her teaching career with the staff and adult clientele of Saffron Studio.

Kate Scahill

Pilates

I have been passionate about health and fitness for many years. I discovered IM=X Pilates a few years ago and enjoyed it so much, that I became certified in August, 2007 through the IM=X Studio in NYC to teach mat classes. I find it to be a great workout on it's own, or as a complement to other athletic activities. My class will leave you feeling invigorated and energized.

Kendra Harris

Afrique Movement

“Faith guides your feet but only if you move them!”

Kendra has been a professional dancer for more than 15 years. She believes there is healing in all movement. Kendra is a member of Kumbuka Traditional African Drum and Dance Collective and Casa Samba Afro-Brazilian Dance Company/School (Casa Samba O Brasil Encontra Nova Orleans). These companies perform throughout the city of New Orleans (and abroad); the Endymion Ball, Jazz Fest, International Festival, Congo Square, Brazilian Independence Celebration in San Francisco, Zulu Ball, Jazz Emporium, Howlin Wolf, and private conventions/parties are a few examples of events/venues that showcase these companies.

Kendra is trained in a variety of African movements that originated, both on the continent of Africa and through the diaspora. She is experienced in cultural dances from Senegal, Guinea, Mali, The Congo, Gambia, Peru, Cuba, Brazil, Honduras, Haiti and New Orleans.

Marion Tortoricci

Stretching & Flexibility

Marion Tortoricci is a New Orleans native who has been involved in different forms of dance, gymnastics, and acrobatics for 17 years. She left the realm of gymnastics and acrobatics competition only to return again as a coach in 2003. She has not stopped coaching since then, and is currently the coach of the competition team at Crescent City Gymnastics. She holds a gymnastics Safety Certification as well as a USA Gymnastics membership. Within the past year, Marion began aerial circus arts training under the instruction of Raven Hinojosa of Aurora Aerial, and her agent, Carl Mack, has brought her trapeze and acrobatic performances to the professional level.

Marion will begin her certification in Vinyasa Flow yoga in the summer of 2008.

Rishi

Odissi

No bio available.

Nalina

Odissi

No bio available.

Joyce Varghese

Bollywood Dance

I started dancing when I was 4, but I was too young to join a class, so for a few years I learned from my, oh so mature 6 year old friend! In second grade, my mother put me in Bharata Natayam and I was hooked! Bharata Natayam, one of the 7 forms of Indian classical dance, is one of the oldest forms of dance. My dance guru is Vijayalakshmi Shetty-Ahuja of Natraj Dance Academy Chicago, student of Uma Dandayadapani Pillai and Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam, two well known instructors in Bharata Natyam and Kuchipudi, respectively. As a student of Vijayalakshmi Shetty-Ahuja, I learned not only Bharata Natayam but Kuchipdui, Mohiniattam, and Odissi. I had my Arangatrum (dance graduation) in the summer of 1999.

I have been choreographing and teaching Bollywood performances since the age of 12. In college, I started my own dance troupe, where I combined different types of cultural dance with hip hop, jazz, modern and funk. Dancing is not only great for your cardiovascular system, but it is liberating and an expression of freedom!

Bollywood, like most Indian dance is theatrical. It creates an air of "anything goes", while staying true to the essence of dramatic musical dance. I look forward to being a part of the Saffron studio and teaching you about the magic of Bollywood and Indian culture!

Jessica

Strength/Stretch, Hip Hop, Modern/Lyrical

No bio available.

Melissa

Yoga - Vinyasa Flow

No bio available.